Abhishek Sharma Dazzles with 35-ball 84: Breaks World Record in IND vs NZ 1st T20I

The Nagpur Storm: Abhishek Sharma’s 84-Run Blitz Indian opener Abhishek Sharma turned the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur into a hitting zone on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. In the series opener against New Zealand, Sharma delivered a statement innings, smashing 84 runs off just 35 balls at a staggering strike rate of 240.00.

Despite India losing Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan early, Abhishek refused to slow down. His innings was laced with 5 boundaries and 8 massive sixes, taking the Black Caps' bowlers to the cleaners from the very first over.

A New World Record: 8 Fifties Under 25 Balls With his half-century coming in just 22 deliveries, Abhishek Sharma shattered a sensational world record. He has now become the first batter in T20I history to score eight half-centuries in 25 or fewer balls. In doing so, he surpassed the likes of Phil Salt, Evin Lewis, and even his own captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who all have seven such fifties.

The 5,000 T20 Runs Milestone During his knock, Abhishek also crossed the 5,000-run mark in T20 cricket. He became the fourth-fastest Indian to reach this milestone, joining an elite club. What sets him apart is his career strike rate of 172.54—the highest among all players with over 5,000 T20 runs.

Why This Performance Matters for the 2026 T20 World Cup With the T20 World Cup 2026 less than a month away, Abhishek’s form is a massive boost for India. His ability to dominate the PowerPlay—where he has hit 49 sixes in his T20I career—makes him India's most dangerous weapon at the top of the order. India eventually finished with a massive 238/7, their highest ever against the Kiwis, and secured a dominant 48-run victory.